New MD at Wilson Vale as caterer cooks up growth strategy

Caterer Wilson Vale has appointed a new MD and made a major investment in its client services and support team

16/01/2017

Pictured: Carolyne Vale and Andrew Wilson, co-founders of Wilson Vale

Catering company Wilson Vale has appointed a new MD and made a major investment in its client services and support team.

Alan Beddie, former operations director, is now managing director, with four out of the five new senior operational roles created by internal promotions.

The investments come as Wilson Vale marks its 15th anniversary next month.

Andrew Wilson, co-founder, said: “We are making this substantial, strategic investment in our operations team to illustrate our clear commitment to continuing on the same cultural path we set out on fifteen years ago and to ensure that Carolyne and I can spend more time with our clients and our teams.

“Since we started the company in 2002, we have continued to invest in the right people and structures ahead of time to ensure consistency of service, quality and support to our clients throughout our growth.

“What is particularly pleasing is that four of the five new positions are internal promotions so this investment is as much about rewarding talent as it is about maintaining high standards.”

Having spent five years in a business development role with Wilson Vale between 2003 and 2008, Beddie rejoined the company in June 2013 as operations director.

David Anderson, formerly an area manager with Wilson Vale, now takes on the role of operations director while Phil Hindmarch, previously an area manager with Wilson Vale, takes on a new role as general manager of operations.

Two Wilson Vale chef managers, James Wood and Chris Hodges, have been promoted to area management positions, with a third, Matthew Kinnes, joining this month from a hotel and restaurant background.

The company employs 700 people, has a portfolio of 95 clients and is projecting an annual turnover of £26 million for 2017.

The caterer has also started negotiations with a developer to take on a new purpose built office block opposite its current corporate headquarters in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, which Wilson Vale hopes to occupy in the first quarter of 2018.

Wilson Vale has a growing portfolio of conference venue clients including Conference Aston in Birmingham, Moor Hall Conference Centre in Cookham, Berkshire and College Court at the University of Leicester.